'It's a real privilege' - Coronation Street star Lisa George thrilled with new role at Blackpool Grand Theatre
From Coronation Street on TV’s Weatherfield to round the corner from Coronation Street in Blackpool - Lisa George is eagerly looking forward to starring in this year’s Grand Theatre panto.
The actress who played Beth Tinker on ITV’s Street for 13 years will feature alongside Grand panto stalwart Steve Royle in Jack and the Beanstalk from December 4 to January 3.
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Lisa made her panto debut in 1997 when she played Dandini in Cinderella produced by the Fylde coast’s Duggie Chapman at the Tameside Hippodrome in Ashton under Lyne.
She starred alongside Blackpool’s own Linda Nolan, Jimmy Cricket and another ex-Corrie star Suranne Jones.
Further panto appearances followed in the early years of this century before her Corrie role and since leaving the Street, she has appeared in panto for the last two festive seasons, last year in Cinderella at the Grand Opera House in York.
But she is especially looking forward to coming back to taking to the stage again in Blackpool, which holds many happy memories for her.
Her one previous appearance at The Grand was in Queens of Country in 2001, while four years before that, she appeared at the Winter Gardens in a touring production of Prisoner Cell Block H The Musical with the late Paul O’Grady as Lily Savage.
She also had three very happy years as a backing singer to Joe Longthorne at the North Pier theatre now named after the late singing star.
“It will be good to be back,” she said. “It’s a great place to perform and I’m genuinely over the moon to be joining Jack and the Beanstalk at Blackpool Grand Theatre.
“It’s a venue with such an incredible reputation, not just locally but right across the UK, for delivering one of the very best pantomimes in the country.
“There’s a real sense that this is something the local community absolutely loves, supports, and feels proud of, but it also draws people in from far and wide because of the quality and scale of what’s created here.
“I know how much passion, care and sheer talent go into these productions from the amazing team at The Grand and UK Productions, and you can feel that in every moment on stage.
“Pantomime is such a special part of Christmas - it brings families together, creates lifelong memories and fills the theatre with pure joy - and to be part of ‘Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime’ is a real privilege.
“I honestly can’t wait to step on that stage, meet the audiences and share in something truly magical.”
It’s two years now since Lisa left her role in Coronation Street, with er TV character Beth leaving her partner Kirk behind to take a new job in Norwich.
It was Lisa’s decision to go with a major factor behind that sight problems which had made her fear that she might never act of stage again if she didn’t make the break.
“The sight problem has stabilised somewhat now but at the time, I was worried and wanted to find more time for stage opportunities, which I love,” she said.
“I miss my friends there and it was a great time on the Street but it was the right decision and it has been great to be be back in stage.
“Being back in Blackpool at The Grand will be a very special experience.”